MONDALE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) awards the Mondale Scholarship to undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges & universities and North Dakota State University who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel. Former Ambassador to Japan, Walter Mondale had continually promoted a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, business, government, and language among corporate members in America. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is proud to have this opportunity to assist Minnesota/North Dakota students in their study abroad experience in Japan since 1998.
The selection committee will offer scholarship(s) up to $2,000 for students already accepted to an accredited program in Japan that is at least one semester long. JASM envisions the scholarship to be used to enrich the student's experience within Japan during the term of their program.July 17, 2025 - Application Deadline
July 27, 2025 - Send interview invitations to candidates
Aug 8, 2025 - Complete interviews of candidates
Aug 11, 2025 - Award scholarships
The application process consists of the completion and submission of the following items:
1. Application form: Google Form/ PDF Form
2. Official college/university transcript(s) from all institutions attended **
3. Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher
4. Two letters of recommendation. These letters should come from a faculty member or a member of the applicant’s community of residence who knows the applicant well and who can attest to the applicant’s desire to spend time studying and traveling in Japan. **
5. An essay that addresses these questions: Why do you want to study and travel in Japan? What is your goal for this experience? How do you intend to use the scholarship dollars? The essay must be no longer than two double-spaced typewritten pages.
6. A copy of the letter of acceptance from the intended program of study in Japan.
**These materials need to be sent directly to JASM from the institution and/or an individuals via email jasm@mn-japan.org or mail to P.O. Box 26639, Minneapolis, MN
The selection committee will review all applications and select finalists for interviews. Applicants unable to participate in the interview process may be disqualified by the selection committee.
Past winners of the Mondale Scholarship (Highlighted names will open link to Mondale Scholarship Report in Tsushin):
2024-2025 Sydney Chen • Jonathan Cardano • Sophia Heles • Molly Turley
2023-2024 Rachel Kelly • Livvy Peters • Kendra Martin
2022-2023 Maya Green • Aly Hayashi • Joshua Marine • Alex Saros • Chong Sarah Thao
2021-2022 No scholarships were awarded due to pandemic
2020-2021 Claire Rastad • Lydia Rose
2019-2020 Daphne Iskos • Son Phan • Alison Meierhofer • Audrey Johannes
2018-2019 Elise Bearrood • Hannah Detlaff • Tatiana Gust • Mason Williams
2017-2018 Huyen Bui • Abbey Cipriano • Ezekiel Heling
2016-2017 Lisa Au • Joe Druckman
2015-2016 Anne Campbell • Maly Thao
2014-2015 Amani Mekraz • Ryan Renard • Samantha Vang
2013-2014 Jessany Williams • Eric Schneider
2012-2013 Jack Kessler • Sadie Cornforth • Pa Woua
2011-2012 David Huck • Senai Mesfin
2010-2011 Julia Clark • Laura Ullery
2009-2010 Damon Odum • Andrew Brown
2008-2009 Joanna Clark • Katherine Dunlop • Lindsey Loree
2007-2008 Aaron Brown • Victoria Miller • Keaton White
2006-2007 Teresa Kramer • Wes Robertson
2005-2006 Bryan Olsson • Vassilena Ouzounova
2004-2005 Summer Dien • Benjamin Salyards
2003-2004 Brianne Erickson • Andrea Woudenberg
2002-2003 Steven Borchart • Erin Mickens • Alicia Ohmann • Kristen Ridley
2001-2002 Jason Chan • Rebecca Grundy • Garret Smith
2000-2001 Marshall Bennett • Peter Morrow • Brian Peterson
1999-2000 Natalie Hoyle • James Conely
1998-1999 Jenelle Ehalt • Maria Murphy • Jesse Spitza